NBC, Notre Dame reach hockey deal

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame and NBC Sports Group have reached a three-year agreement calling for NBCSN to televise 12 of the Fighting Irish's home hockey games each year of the deal.

The agreement announced Friday also calls for NBC Sports Live Extra to stream those 12 games and eight more home games online.

The first such game was scheduled for Friday night when No. 7 Notre Dame hosted Western Michigan. NBCSN says it will televise more than 20 college hockey games this season, including the 12 Notre Dame home games, five Hockey East games and five Big Ten games.

NBC has broadcast Notre Dame football games for years. Media reports have said Notre Dame receives $15 million annually as part of that deal.